Bonnie Jensen - Lucky So & So

Bonnie Jensen hails from New Zealand. As you can see, she is beautiful, and so is her music. Her vocal nuance is very much "jazz". She has that kind of flaxen blonde voice you want to listen to forever. And her singing is very clear. The improvisation on the
second track, "Garota de Ipanema" , is very fine, with backing not only of piano trio but multiple saxes as well. Listening to "A Foggy Day", which she also arranged, you can really appreciate how she can get inside a song. She has a high standard and sings like no one else, but with an indefinable air of nostalgia. This is music for adults."

DAVID NATHAN, AMG, USA (www.allaboutmusic.com) AUGUST 2001

...Maintaining the high standards set by the La Brava label with its previous releases, Jensen delivers a scintillating, expressive 55 minutes of music. Possessing a voice with excellent range, she distributes emotions tailored to the message she wants each song to convey to the listener, whether the tune be an original or standard - the mark of a good jazz singer. Thus, "Waltz for Debby" is tender and a bit wistful. "Teach Me Tonight" imparts a sense of urgency as she staggers space between words and lines to make this oft-recorded song come across somewhat differently than one usually hears it. Her own "Reality" is more contemporary musica and comes wrapped in a Brazialian beat. Jensen also recognises the importance of imaginative arrangements to make sure that the proper combination of instrumentation is used to help her meet her performing objectives ... she displays a vocal instrumental power and clarity combined with a sense of intimacy that makes the session work. Recommended.

MICHAEL FOSTER, CANBERRA TIMES, AUSTRALIA, 26 OCTOBER, 2001

... This velvet voice sings of a wonderful time and style of jazz that will have people of such persuasion drifting down the lane signposed "Memory" recalling mostly sweet and gentle times, wrapped (and rapt) in lovely phrasing, clear diction and beautiful instrumental sounds...

BEN MCEACHEN, THE ADVERTISER NEWSPAPER, ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA, 3 SEPTEMBER 2001

...Bonnie Jensen is an accomplished global chanteuse, whose debut album is evocative of the intimacy expected of jazz singers performing live. Jensen is blessed with a sensual, malleable voice, which will caress your ears above a din of late-night cocktails or candle-lit dinners ... as she's more velvet than voluminous, Jensen has selected her material well ... the first track, Cole Porter's "All of You" is a fitting introduction to Jensen's smooth lounge tones and respectful backing.

The acoustic-backed "No More Blues" and the lonely piano "The Man I Love", gives the feeling that Jensen is a distinct national talent worthy of more note.

KEVIN JONES, THE AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER, FEBRUARY 9, 2002

It's easy to see why this CD is riding so high in the Independent Australian Jazz Charts. Not only is Bonnie Jensen an excellent singer and arranger - she has a hand in the charts for all 12 tracks - but there is an easy intimacy between her and the other musicians, expecially pianist Michael Bartolomei, a consummate and perceptive accompanist and imaginative soloist...